Diabetics need to take special care of their feet to avoid the possibility of amputation

More than 18 million American adults suffer from diabetes, a chronic disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that enables people to turn food into energy.

The disease, over time, can cause poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet, making them vulnerable to ulcers, infections, deformities and brittle bones.
Dr. Jasen Langley, a podiatrist with Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, is trying to create public awareness of this growing problem. In cooperation with the hospital, he heads diabetes education classes and a monthly support group, designed to help individuals manage their diabetes.

"People with diabetes are 10 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated than people without diabetes," said Langley, whose office is in Howell. "They must always be vigilant and should see a podiatrist at the first sign of trouble. Early treatment can keep diabetic foot problems from progressing and reduce the risk of amputations."

At a recent program, Langley talked about the key factors in preventing serious damage to the foot and ankle areas.
"The most important thing a diabetic can do is have good blood sugar control," Langley said. "Once the sugar is under control, the manifestations of problems will actually slow down. You won't see them as quickly as you do in an uncontrolled diabetic."

Good blood sugar control can be achieved by medications, a proper diet and exercise, doctors say.

Wear sneakers
Seventy-two-year-old Edie Berg knows all about fighting blood sugar. She has been battling diabetes for more than seven years and started using insulin in 2004 to better maintain control.

"I like the insulin because I was getting some high numbers and that can be scary," said Berg, who lives in Howell. "The insulin has given me better control of my blood sugar. If I get a high number, I just take a little bigger dose of insulin."
Berg has been taking steroids for many years to combat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. She was told by doctors that her blood sugar numbers would increase because of the steroids, but it wasn't until 2000 that diabetes set in.

Fortunately, Berg has not had any problems with her feet. She credits a healthy diet and regular trips to the doctor. "I go every two months to the doctor and my feet are always checked," Berg said. "Dr. Langley always wants me to make sure I wear sneakers. He says, "If one foot rubs against another and you can't feel it, that's the first sign of trouble.' When I rub my feet together, it tickles, so I know I am OK."

Diabetes costs more than $132 billion a year in the United States, including direct medical expenses as well as indirect costs such as lost work, disability and premature death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Langley said many younger doctors are being more aggressive in their treatment of diabetics, which can help prevent surgery and reduce the financial toll.
"If a foot becomes bad enough that you need surgery, that can run in the neighborhood of $50,000, $60,000," Langley said. "That really takes a toll on the family and the insurance companies. That is why you are seeing the media and the Diabetes Association embarking on a more aggressive campaign to get the word out on the disease."